Developing countries could raise substantial domestic revenues by strengthening tax legislation and administration, but a lack of global regulations to address cross-border tax evasion is slowing down the process.

Big accounting firms advice multinational companies on tax loopholes and lobby for tax exemptions. At the same time they advice governments in developing countries on tax reforms and engage in government task forces. A new research project delve deeper into the dual role of multinational accounting firms.

Taxpayer compliance in Sub-Saharan Africa is closely linked to peoples' views of the government's ability to deliver on important services, the fairness of the system, and consequences of tax evasion shows findings from the recent Afrobarometer survey.

How can donors strengthen tax systems in developing countries? By complementing their technical approach with measures to build a taxpayer culture, and challenging development countries to take the lead, says CMI researcher Odd-Helge Fjeldstad.

There is political will to strengthen the tax system in Angola. If properly designed and implemented, the new tax system can improve the efficiency and responsiveness of the public sector. One of the main challenges, however, will be to convince the citizens of Angola about the value of paying taxes. This will require not only reforms, but a major cultural shift.

Illegal money flows from developing countries exceeds development assistance. Tax havens are used to facilitate these illegal flows through money laundering, tax avoidance and tax evasion. Many of the major tax havens are European.

». I look forward to contribute to a research agenda that can provide policymakers with concrete and context specific advice in collaboration with colleagues at the African Tax Institute, says Odd-Helge Fjeldstad, senior researcher at CMI.